Thanks to the flexibility of funders we have been able to deliver planned works in spite of the challenges of COVID19.

As part of Trinity's Phased Capital Works programme to improve Trinity's spaces, grounds and enable us to increase our cultural offer, we undertook a series of renovation works between 2019-22, supported with funds from Power to Change, Nisbet Trust, Tarmac Landfill Trust, Bristol City Council, private donors and other match funders. ​

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with new people within the art world where I would never before.” Member, Programming Forum

Work included much needed accessibility adaptations to our Community Garden, improvements to Trinity's Graffiti Room and the design and build of a new outdoor event space -  The Den - set in our historic grounds.  ​

As well as carrying out significant capital works, with increased capacity and resources thanks to Power to Change, we were able to strengthen our live events team through a new internship that has enabled us to grow our in-house Trinity Presents Programme - a platform for promoting underrepresented and emerging talent. Through this support we were able to develop a new Community Activities Coordinator role to help rebuild our community activities offer post-pandemic, building meaningful connections with local groups in response to need. ​

We have continued to put people and communities at the heart of decision making, reviewing and updating our democratic tools to ensure our communities influence what we do. Work included a targeted Board recruitment campaign in 2021 and further development of of participatory decision making forums.

Click here to read our Capital Works 2019-22 report.

Trinity have been continuing with our phased capital programme during 2020.

Thanks to the flexibility of funders and emergency grant support, we have been able to continue to dedicate resources towards delivery of planned renovation and conservation works.

We have made some much needed access improvements to our well-used Community Garden, installing a ramp and pathway around the garden, so that everyone is able to visit and enjoy the space.

Emma Harvey, CEO said: "The Trinity Garden is an invaluable green space within the locality, particularly right now when getting outside is one of the only things people are able to do. Making it accessible was a key priority for us to make sure physical access is not a barrier to enjoying nature."

Prior to the November 2020 lockdown, Trinity were hosting socially distanced family garden sessions for local people, to encourage people to get outside and learn about gardening and permaculture. The access works will mean that future workshops and sessions will be able to better cater for all needs and will also include the installation of raised beds for people with mobility issues.

“We live on the 7th floor in our flat. I was scared to come as I don t like bees but I love it here now, I can't wait to come back!’”Abdir, age 7 garden workshop participant Summer 2020

Glyn Everett, Trinity Chair of Trustees said; "Making every part of Trinity as accessible as possible to all our community groups and other users has always been a top priority, and I was so pleased and proud of the Trinity team to have achieved this work during Lockdown."

The live capital works phase includes internal renovation works to the Graffiti Room, which was started just prior to the escalation of the global crisis.

The room has been transformed - removing a blocking wall and installing a glass balustrade to reveal the stained glass window and restoring original features. We have installed more suitable flooring and acoustic panels and - most importantly - fixed the heaters in the space so that we will be able to warmly welcome the community back into the space once restrictions begin to ease.

As well as access and restoration, we have also given our downstairs WCs a much needed facelift to make them Covid-Secure for when activities are able to resume.

Our Digs Project to install container units on site has been paused pending the outcome of a revised feasibility study, to inform the capital works programme in response to COVID19. We are liaising with match funder Power to Change as well as the architect team regarding revised timescales.

This latest phase in our capital works programme is being supported with funds secured prior to the pandemic from Power to Change, Nisbet Trust, Derbyshire Environmental Trust, Bristol City Council, private donors and other match funders and emergency funds.

Trinity Centre, finally revealed photo @ Sarah Koury

After nearly a year of being covered by scaffolding we are finally set to reveal our iconic towers again after completing our programme of critical repair works.

“We have been overwhelmed by people’s support, generosity and love of Trinity,Support from funders and members of the public means that we’ve been able to secure the building’s future for generations to come and we want to say a big thank you to everyone involved. We will continue to work hard to make Trinity the diverse and pioneering community venue that the city deserves” Emma Harvey, Trinity Centre Director

Works to the centre, a Grade II* listed building, began in October 2017 as part of our long-term plan to conserve and renovate The Trinity Centre and protect its future, both as a community arts hub and also one Bristol’s most respected live-music venues.

In January 2018, investigations revealed extensive historic damage to the building, leaving the us to raise further funds to stop the building from further deterioration and prevent the former-church from being placed back onto Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ Register.

Following a public appeal to help secure Trinity’s past, present and future, we were fortunate to receive an uplift grant from Historic England, alongside support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Bristol City Council, other charitable Trusts & Foundations as well as generous donations from the public.

A 51 week critical work programme has been undertaken, overseen by Bristol-based Ferguson Mann Architects and construction firm Carrek – locally based specialists in historic conservation. Works included repairs to the roofing, stained glass windows and iconic ‘Trinity towers’, as well as intricate repair of the historic Bath-stone fabric of the building.

After a year long programme of conservation works the Trinity Centre awaits the removal of the final scaffolding (photo credit @Khali Ackford)

Since 2008, we have invested over £2 million in repairing and restoring the Trinity Centre - which is owned by Bristol City Council - transforming it from a dilapidated space into a thriving participatory arts centre for inner-city residents. These latest repair works are the final phase of repairs to restore the fabric of the building and further improvement works are planned, to increase the centre’s usability and sustainability.

Stonemasons take a break after inspecting their work, with East Bristol in the background (photo credit @Khali Ackford)

We had to prioritise what works we undertook meaning that we had to omit some of the planned sustainability improvements, such a second solar PV installation and solar battery storage as well as some additional sound proofing measures.

With Trinity Road Police Station earmarked for a possible residential development, we are aware how important these improvements are both for existing and potential new residents. Therefore we are committed to continuing to ensure there is investment in venue improvements in order to maximise use and sustain the building’s future.

Improvements to the building mean that centre we can continue to be home to over 160 community and voluntary groups who run a range of regular activities from dance classes for older people to the monthly Rhythm of the Night, a nightclub for adults with learning difficulties. We support community groups with over 1400 hours of free and subsidised hall space each year to ensure that the centre continues to provide invaluable public benefit. Activities like these are made possible in part through income generated through our car park and support from public donations.

“I’m 75 and still dancing – this means so much in term of fitness, socialising and even mental fitness. This wouldn’t be possible without Trinity – who provide amazing spaces for classes” says Adrian Longstaffe who attends Gerry’s Attic, a dance group held weekly at Trinity.

The Trinity Towers awaiting their big reveal (photo credit @Khali Ackford)

We will be celebrating the completion of these works at our celebratory ‘Heart & Soul’ event and AGM and warmly invite all to attend-  on 4 October.

You can play your part in Trinity’s future, by donating to Trinity and help support groups like Gerry’s Attic to find community, happiness and opportunity.  Donate online www.3ca.org.uk/donatenow, or text TR1N13 £5 to 70070

Stonemason Jim shows us the new stoneworks, replacing the damaged stone caused by corroded iron

“When they built this building, they just never expected it to last nearly 200 years” says Jim, who has been a stonemason for 10 years. He is using traditional skills to hand carve new stonework – mainly to replace rusted metal cramps and critically damaged stonework.

I am being taken on a tour of the building site by Shane, Trinity’s man for all things facilities. I am grateful for my hard hat as there is a lot of climbing the scaffolding. We climb right to the top and look to the farthest corner of the roof and see the pinnacle that Jim restored by hand.

The hand carved stonework is visible on the furthest pinnacle

As we go up hard not to notice the stained glass windows, many are buckled and bowed; a few put in upside down (possibly in the 1980’s restoration work); some cracked and others in a need of a deep clean.

The windows in the Graffiti Room are mid repair.

A boxing glove lost around the 80's is one of the many items found behind the windows come time capsules

Kerry, resident stained glass window expert, is carefully removing broken glass from a window on the north side of Trinity. By eye he manually cuts out a shape from some glass he has and skilfully places the glass between the lead, seals it and moves onto the next piece. He stands back and on the left is a window yet to do, and on the right is a window that is done. The contrast is quiet impressive.

Shane and I walk past an antenna that is attached to one of the towers (an echo back to the days when Trinity was host to its own community radio station) and head towards the West side of Trinity. Jim and his team have been busy up here, and you can see the repairs to the stoneworks, cracks that have been filled and hand carved stone replacing some of the most critically damaged stone.

I slowly edge towards the edge of the scaffolding and can see Old Market and further beyond, is central Bristol. It is a marvellous view, if not incredibly high. Going down is much easier than going up. Shane and I clamber down the ladders, past the stonemasons, the glaziers and site workers. I am grateful for my feet being back on the ground.

Walking to the edge of the scaffolding was really rather scary. But Bristol looked great

Back in January, with the scaffolding up, experts where able to do a full investigation that revealed the extensive critical historic damage to Trinity. These unexpected costs meant we launched our fundraising campaign to help us raise the much needed funds to undertake the critical repairs and have been overwhelmed by the support from funders and the public.

With only a few months left until the scaffolding comes down we need help to raise the much needed funds to undertake the critical repairs to Trinity. The public can help secure Trinity's past, present and future by donating directly to the campaign here.

What is clear is the commitment by the public, by us, by the craftsmen, the site workers, supporters and communities to renovating the Trinity Centre, ensuring that Trinity’s doors stay open for ours and for future generations.

Sarah Bentley (who really doesn't like heights ) Marketing Officer at Trinity

Help secure Trinity's past, present & future

People enjoying the sunshine photo @Jessica Bartolini

We want to say the biggest and most huge thank you to everyone who donated during garden party– we raised over £2800 in donations and that is just incredible. The funds raised will go directly into our Trinity Conservation Campaign , helping to secure Trinty’s past, future and present.

So to everyone who popped a few quid in the buckets or donated to the campaign directly online, we are very grateful.

An early afternoon performance by Bristol Samba photo credit @Jessica Bartolini

And, this year the sun really did hold out for Garden Party - didn't it.

Families and children enjoyed the circus skills workshops photo @Jessica Bartolini

Throughout the afternoon the garden was host to family workshops, with circus skills workshop from Invisible Youth and a beautiful puppetry performance by Bunraku Puppetry, followed by puppet making. Dancers from HYPE Dance, a weekly dance group based at Trinity, took over the Main Hall and Fyfe Hall for two flash performances and we welcomed back the ever popular drumming workshops.

Family friendly activities ran until mid afternoon and included a puppetry performance @Jessica Bartolini

Hype Dance performed two very high energy dances to crowds at Garden Party @Jessica Bartolini

On the Main Stage the line up included Baraka,Gardna x Kreed, Sunun with a great headlining set from Om Unit (who started a Roofs not Walls chant!) photo @Jessica Bartolini

Area of Effect opened up Garden Party with a punk set @Jessica Bartolini

Young performers from our collaborative Making Tracks project opened up Garden Party on the Main Stage with a set from Basement Studio’s Area of Effect and later on, Trinity Music Student Sam Neal played new songs from his EP (that he is recording here at Trinity). The Inside Stage saw performances from Trinity’s Louis Stone, Basements Ziggy Thewin and a very fun DJ set from Dj Lee Baker.

Students from our Making Tracks project played throughout the day @Jessica Bartolini

Headliner Om Unit playing to a packed crowd as the day draws to a close photo @Khali Ackford

An array of stall holders brought a great selection of handmade and bespoke goods, complemented by the world cuisines offered by the selection of food stalls and Dr Bike was on hand for everyones bike based needs.

Resident historian Dr Edson Burton teamed up with Lottie Story and took control of the MC’ing, introducing some great Trinity based history and introducing the talented artists and bands to the stage.

Lottie and Edson say a very good night and thank you to the crowd at Garden Party @Khali Ackford

Big up to the all the volunteers who helped out this year – and all the staff members, security, stall holders and artists who helped make the day happen. We had over 2000 people come to our annual free Garden Party, it was very busy!

For more pics of this years Garden Party head over to our Trinity Facebook page or follow us on Instagram.

See you all next year, and thanks everyone for your donations. We couldn't do this without you.

Scaffolding in place at Trinity - image by Khali Photography

“We are pleased to continue to support the Trinity Centre in its project to repair the historic fabric of this Grade II* listed building which was a former church. This additional grant will enable the conservation of further stonework and the windows. These works will help transform the appearance of the Trinity Centre which is a significant landmark in both Old Market and Bristol.” Sarah Ball, Heritage at Risk Architect at Historic England in the South West

Having already supported us with a grant of £106k, Historic England have pledged a further £68k uplift grant towards our urgent conversation works. Significant historic damage to the building’s fabric - including corroded iron works and damage to the stained glass windows - was uncovered as part of recent investigations carried out on the 19th-Century Grade II** listed building - leading to fears that Trinity Centre could one day face closure if not addressed.

"When we announced the news earlier this year we were overwhelmed by the messages of support, generous offers and donations from the community. Funding from Historic England means we are one step closer to our £200k fundraising goal - we are very grateful for this support.” Emma Harvey, Centre Director.

We have launched a fundraising campaign to raise another £135k to cover the full cost of the planned programme of works - which includes sustainability measures to reduce running costs - before the scaffolding is planned to come down in the Autumn. Running from March - October we have an an exciting program of fundraising activities - including our famous annual garden party, 13th May.

Help us secure Trinity's past, present and future

New intern Davontay Benjamin checks out the damage to the stone with specialists.

Last October, work commenced a 11 month project to undertake vital repairs to the building's fabric and structure.

Enabled through the help of Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, Allchurches Trust and 13 other funders, as well as generous donations from members of the public, works began on the lead-roof, original stained glass windows and stonework structure, including the iconic Georgian towers.

With full scaffolding in place, specialists have been able to undertake a more comprehensive metalwork survey. Investigations to metal cramps that hold the stonework in place, reveal the damage to the building is far worse than anticipated.

If we don't do these works now, Trinity will be placed back onto Historic England's At - Risk Register. In real terms this means we are going to have to raise an additional estimated £200k other wise Trinity will be at risk of closure- and we need your help to do that.

How you can help

Trinity is and has always been a central part of the community. Our mission it to keep it that way and protect the building's future and to ensure that Trinity’s doors stay open.

A donation, however big or small, will help us to bridge the gap and ensure we are able to complete these important repairs.

Your support will secure the future of our much-loved community space.

Click here to donate today.

Some of the damaged stoneworks

Get involved

Last year Trinity was used by over 50,000 people. Everyone has a story about Trinity - attending a gig, taking part in a community garden activities, taking part in one of the many community led programmes or even being one of the 200 young people attending our bespoke music courses.

If you're interested in becoming a part of our heritage story - a part of a community and a part of this much-loved building's journey - why not get involved in our Heart & Soul Heritage project? Click here for more info...

Utley, one third of 'Bristol Sound' founders Portishead will work with world-renowned musician and long-term collaborator of PJ Harvey, Parish, to create a new tract to help Trinity raise funds towards £0.5m essential repairs.

Speaking to Dave Thomas, Training Coordinator for Trinity’s youth music programme, John said; “Trinity’s been on the Bristol scene long as I’ve been living in Bristol...I remember from when I first went gigs around about the end of the 1970s, not long after it became a venue...now my daughters are coming to shows here.”

John continued; “It feels like it’s part of the fabric of the Bristol music scene...It’s also the the work you do, the community work, which is amazing.”

When asked why he was getting involved to support Trinity’s appeal, John said; “If I can help then I’d like to - a place like this is really worth hanging onto.

“You can see the way is city is being, as a lot of cities are, being redeveloped - sometimes for better...sometimes for worse...for instance, a studio where I’ve been doing a lot of work’s just been sold, being developed into apartments, which is happening to a lot of central city spaces.

“I feel it’s vital that we hang onto artistic and cultural spaces, because that’s what makes a city valuable...without those, the heart of the city will die.”

Adrian continued; “We really do need all our venues - whether they’re big ones like this or tiny clubs that people start in. In Bristol we tend to forge ahead in spite of what is happening to our studios and our spaces – which is a good thing; there’s a lot of energy for making music.

“I’ve been coming for years, seeing bands here. I’ve played here quite a few times.”

This is the first time the pair will work together on a musical project of this nature, and they are both looking forward to working together and supporting the Trinity Centre. Adrian said; “We’ve worked together but we’ve never actually written music together.”

The Trinity Anthem will be a unique piece of music to celebrate venue’s rich forty year musical heritage and will be the impetus to drive donations toward the charity’s Notes for Notes appeal.

Each £5 raised represents one virtual musical note. When the charity reaches 4,000 notes, Utley & Parish’s track will be released for download, under a ‘pay what you can’ music model; a model used by several artists including Radiohead, to give people the freedom to pay what they can afford towards the track, in support of Trinity’s ongoing capital works programme.

Talking about their favourite Trinity memories, Adrian spoke of when he performed at the converted church in the mid 1990s; “Playing here with Portishead, very early days...it was quite a different space...it was completely wicked and it was great to do it.”

John said; “I remember the first show I ever saw here, which was Magazine in 1980...astonishing gig. Astonishing atmosphere. Quite violent...but it was an amazing gig.”

If you would like to keep the Trinity Centre’s musical heritage alive, you can support with a donation to the Notes for Notes appeal via Just Giving.

Click here to read more about the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

Images courtesy of Khali Photography

For every donation over £5 towards the Notes for Notes appeal, Trinity will exchange a musical note.

When we reach 4,000 musical-notes we will launch 'the Trinity Anthem' - a unique piece of music, created by Adrian Utley & John Parish, to celebrate the diverse musical heritage of the centre and city of Bristol.

We hope that people who hold Trinity close to their hears will support the Conservation Project and help us raise vital funds to help secure the centre's future

You can support Trinity's Notes for Notes fundraising in a number of ways:

• by donating on our Just Giving webpage

• text ROOF31 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity's Notes for Notes appeal and make a difference today. JustTextGiving by Vodafone.

• And fundraising for Notes for Notes with your friends, neighbours, family or work colleagues – you can get some inspiration by downloading our Fundraising Guide here or create your own fundraising idea and  raise money to repair the much-loved Trinity building: let us know what you have planned and we'll  promote your fundraising to help you raise more

You can learn more about the essential repair work needed to the Trinity building here.

You can learn more about the essential work Trinity Community Arts provides in the local community here.

Trinity Community Arts (TCA) has been awarded funding from Heritage Lottery Fund for the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

Funding for an initial development phase will enable the centre to carry out surveys of the Grade II* listed building, in order to come up with a plan for repair works in 2017. Works will focus on repairs to the north aisle and slate roof, original stained glass window and stonework.

Over the last few years, there has been much investment to improve the Trinity Centre's facilities. With a footfall of over 50,000 each year, the planned repair works will help to ensure the community arts centre can continue long into the future.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager of Trinity said; “Thanks previous support from English Heritage and the Big Lottery Fund, The Trinity Centre was removed English Heritage At Risk Register in 2014. However, with an old building like this, there is still much work to be done to repair the building. This support from Heritage Lottery Fund will help to ensure the community can continue to enjoy the space for decades to come."

The project will compliment previous capital repair and redevelopment works and will be the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. The capital works programme will be complimented by a range of heritage learning activities, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Alongside funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, the project development phase has also been supported by the Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Partnership and the Quartet Community Foundation, with other supporters including Bristol's Rotary Club and Burgess Salmon.

Over the next year, the Trinity team will be working to raise the total funds needed to carry out the repair works and there will also be a number of job opportunities relating to the project. If you are interested in showing your support for the project or would like to know more visit: www.3ca.org.uk/activities/renovation for more information.

About Trinity's heritage

The Trinity Centre, Bristol, has been a diverse hub of community arts activities since its de-consecration as a place of worship in 1976. The building has been a prominent music venue for 50 years and has played host to a spectacular role-call of acts, becoming an important landmark in the globally exported 'Bristol Sound'.

Built between 1829-1832, the 'Waterloo Church' is considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson. Trinity is an important Grade II* listed building, which retains significant townscape value in the context of Old Market Conservation Area, defined as "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance."

Trinity's 41 stained-glass windows are one of the most striking but neglected features of the building. Built in an English Gothic Revival style, most of the mullioned windows and clerestory feature non-pictorial stained glass and have a Geometric Patten style using simple shapes. The building features a pictorial stained-glass panel in one of the South-East façade windows, with classical figures set against a background of vibrant colours, flanked by diaper quarries and foliage.

Trinity is situated within one of the most culturally diverse and economically deprived areas of the South West. Race, migration and the changing demographic of the surrounding area have played an important role in the history of the building. Over the years, the building has been managed by different community groups, who have all had a role to play in making the centre what it is today.

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will help to explore some of this history and provide opportunities for people to share their stories and experiences, as well as learn about traditional heritage trades. Visit our Archive for more information.

Image by Jane Porter, BCC

Last month, the centre picked up a special judges panel award from the M&S Energy fund, to cover the cost of the installation, with match funding support from the Naturesave Trust.

Installation work was carried out by local firm Clawtech Electrical. The project marks a success for the city of Bristol during its Green Capital year.

Energy savings from the installation will help support ongoing maintenance costs of the much-loved, grade II* listed, community arts centre and ensure that Trinity can continue to provide free hall space to other community projects.

Feeding back about the award to Trinity, the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund Team said; “We thought that this project was most in keeping with M&S’s core business values - integrity, innovation, inspiration, and in touch with the community. We were all very impressed with the level of community engagement [the] project has demonstrated and look forward to seeing the impact of our funding.”

St Werburghs City Farm was also among the winners of the awards. It received funding towards installing 15 solar panels to their new education centre 'The Connection Centre Solar Systems Project, which will educate children and young people about green energy.

M&S Energy Community Energy Fund
The M&S Energy Community Energy Fund has been established to enable more communities in the UK to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable. During September 2015 a public vote took place to decide which community groups across the country would win a share of the £400,000 funding available. There are plans to run a similar funding programme in 2016.

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will compliment previous repair and redevelopment works, helping to protect the building's fabric into the future. Trinity are campaigning to raise funds to carry out a final programme of works between 2015-2017.

Installing Solar PV panels on our community centre are a key part of this programme, to help the building become more sustainable and allow Trinity to continue to provide free and subsidised hall space for community activity.

This is the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. Capital works with be framed by an activities programme of workshops and events, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Photos by Jessica Bartolini

The M&S Energy Community Energy Fund has been established to enable more communities in the UK to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable. Last month, a public vote took place to decide which community groups across the country would win a share of the £400,000 funding available.

Trinity has been awarded £12,500 funding to contribute toward the installation of solar PV to Trinity Centre roof, which will match-fund £1,000 committed from the Naturesave Trust. Energy savings from the installation will help support ongoing maintenance costs of the much-loved, grade II* listed, community arts centre and ensure that Trinity can continue to provide free hall space to other community projects.

Installation of solar PV form part of Trinity's 2015 Green Capital Pledge to improve the centre's green credentials.

Emma Harvey, Trinity Centre Manager said; "A massive thanks must go out to all those who voted & supported us to win - we couldn't have done it without you!"

Feeding back about the award to Trinity, the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund Team said; “The judges felt [the] project was most in keeping with M&S core business values - integrity, innovation, inspiration, and in-touch with the community. We are all very impressed with the level of community engagement [the] project has demonstrated and look forward to seeing the impact of our funding.”

St Werburghs City Farm were also amongst winners of the awards. They received funding towards installing 15 solar panels to their new education centre 'The Connection Centre Solar Systems Project, which will educate children and young people about green energy.

About the Trinity Centre

The Trinity Centre is a unique is a Grade II* listed, deconsecrated Georgian church, now a thriving community arts centre and independent live music venue, based in the heart of inner-city Bristol.

Led by Trinity Community Arts, our mission is to empower communities through the arts, to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to access and shape arts and culture.

We deliver projects with arts, education and heritage focuses to encourage participation and promote cohesion within these areas. The centre was used by over 40,000 in 2014, including 8,498 people participating in our community projects and activities.

Trinity provides free and subsidised hall use to community projects through our Trinity Community Initiative (TCI). In 2014 we provided 1,080 hours of free or subsidised hall space, so that community and grass-roots groups were able to run their projects and events.

About the Trinity Centre Conservation Project

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will compliment previous repair and redevelopment works, helping to protect the building's fabric into the future.

Trinity are campaigning to raise funds to carry out the following programme of works between 2015-2017:

• repairing lead-work on the remaining North aisle (with insulation) to prevent water ingress to the training spaces below
• re-felting and repair to pitched slate roof, to prevent water ingress and damage to the re-developed hall spaces below
• masonry works to the stonework (excluding South aisle) and towers to protect the building's fabric from cramp damage
• restoration of original stained glass, including installation of secondary/tertiary glazings (internally and externally) to improve the energy performance of the building and opening devices to North and South high elevation windows to improve ventilation
• installing Solar PV panels on our community centre, to help the building become more sustainable and allow Trinity to continue to provide free and subsidised hall space for community activity.

This is the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. Capital works with be framed by an activities programme of workshops and events, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Click here for more info about the project.

Trinity has been short-listed for the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund.

A public vote will decide which community groups win a share of the £400,000 available to enable more communities in the UK to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable.

If successful, the funds will contribute toward the installation of solar PV to Trinity Centre roof, to help support ongoing maintenance costs of this much-loved, grade II* listed, community arts centre.

We already have £1,000 committed from the Naturesave Trust toward the project and are seeking support from Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a wider building works programme to repair the windows and masonry.

Voting commences on the 17 August and closes on 30 September.

Cast your vote here!

You can show your support for the project directly by supporting our crowdfunding project here.

There's also still time to vote for Trinity as Just Giving's Charity of the Year.

The need for Solar PV has been identified as an essential measure in a recent 'Green Audit' carried out by UWE graduates, to improve our long-term sustainability.

Installation of Solar PV will compliment other recently funded improvement works - including roof insulation, improved heating controls and new LED lighting - leading to significant improvements to the energy performance of the building, enabling us to ensure the building's future.

The installation will form part of a wider capital project, for which we are seeking support from Heritage Lottery Fund, to repair our windows, roofing, stonework and towers.

The proposed installation will help us to:

• reduce our carbon footprint, conserve energy and improve our efficiency
• reduce financial costs of energy, with electricity generated at the point of use
• enable us to continue to provide free and subsidised hall space to community groups
• invest in ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Grade II* Listed building through the feed-in tariff generated

Solar PV is one of the most expensive options available to TCA for energy and carbon reduction, but is one of the most effective options - providing an effective technology for reducing carbon output and improving the level of renewable energy available. After installation there is very little effort required to support and maintain the system, making it a perfect carbon and cost saving measure.

Support from the Naturesave Trust to deliver this project will enable us to achieve sustainability through reducing our overheads and developing our revenue streams to ensure future core funding is not required to cover increasing centre running costs.

During his visit last year, Andrew Vines, Planning and Conservation Director, English Heritage, South West commented: “The Trinity Centre is a case in point of how old historic buildings can be given a new lease of life and once again become a key part of the community.”

Trinity pledges to develop and improve it's ecological awareness and take steps to reduce waste both as an organisation and within the larger community.

We will do this by:

• Implementing energy saving initiatives, as detailed in our Green Audit
• Identifying a strategy for delivering a Solar PV installation
• Support the local community to participate in the Bristol Green Capital year
• Provide a venue for Green Capital events

Following the recommendations of the green audit undertaken by UWE graduates in 2014 year, we have set short and long term goals to make our Grade II* listed building and charity more ecologically sound.

Short term goals have already been set in motion, such as the switch from traditional lighting LED lights in all our halls, workspaces and outdoor spaces and switching to a green energy provider. The Trinity Centre has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C - considerably higher than similar historic buildings, which have an average rating of D. Recent installation of a new boiler and Building Management System (BMS) system, insulation works to the loft alongside the LED lighting has led to a very good rating being achieved for the style of building.

Other actions such as staff training and public awareness are an on going commitment. We are encouraging our visitors to show a positive attitude towards keeping green, such as having recycling points. Through leading by example, we hope to increase local people’s awareness of what can be done. These actions will be combined with workshops and activities around recycling, permaculture and keeping green Trinity will continue to work within the community to build awareness around green issues.

Long term we aim to install solar panels on the premises and implement ongoing improvements within the building to reduce energy loss. We are seeking funding to become more self-sustainable and use less energy within the building. One example of this would be our goal to replace the acrylic coverings to the original stain glass windows with double glazing, to help better insulate the building.

As well as directly developing the building Trinity aims to develop new and improve existing projects based around sustainability and keeping green. We plan to do this by continually supporting and working with local art projects such as Litterati who held a week's residence in 2014 at Trinity. The project was a culmination of local artists running free daily workshops for young people based around the idea of re-using items that would be traditionally seen as rubbish. This project educated young people about the amount of waste that is produced as well as ways to re-use and prevent so much waste.

We will continue to support 'green' or 'eco' themed conferences and workshops held within the venue offering advice about local resources such as catering and transport links in addition to offering a discounted rate for charities and non-profit green organisations.

We will also evolve our own projects, investing more time into supporting flagship projects such as our Garden Project and Arts West Side. As part of the Bristol 2015 programme we will be delivering the 'Grow It...Cook it...Eat It!' project, to educate, support and involve people within the community in the Green Capital agenda, targeting hard to reach groups as well as the wider community.

Keep an eye out on our website to find out more about this and other projects!

At Trinity, we value your feedback.

We want to hear your feedback so that we can improve our Centre and provide the activities you want to see.

Over the past few years we have been working to improve the centre and deliver activities that people want to see happening in their local area. Below are some suggestions we've acted on previously.

We'd like to hear from you about your experiences of Trinity and if there's anything we can improve on.

Click here to complete this short survey and you could win one of the following:

• two free tickets to an upcoming gig of your choice
• £50 off your next hire
• a limited edition Trinity T-shirt

Offer ends 1st May 2015.

You said...we did!

“bike racks” We fitted lots of new bike racks and a bike shelter.

“children's play area” We installed an exciting new green play-scape, inspired by nature and built to promote creative and interactive play.

“The entrance is so confusing I nearly walked out…” We redeveloped the Centre to improve layout for visitors, including a new daytime entrance and Reception.

“heating” We fitted a new boiler and underfloor heating for the upstairs hall spaces.

“Upstairs has limited facilities” We redeveloped the upstairs hall to create a large hall for theatre, dance and performance, weddings and parties.

“Doesn't really serve the community...there's no real community centric activities” We've worked to secure project funding for a range of free community activities, including an exciting Bristol 2015 programme of gardening workshops, as part of the Grow it, Cook it, Eat it! project.

"Kitchen to prepare food" We revamped our kitchen so that it can now provide suitable space for food preparation.

"Dedicated accessible parking" We resurfaced our grounds and created four dedicated accessible parking bays.

And some things we're still working on...

"Would use the garden more if the seating was improved and there was a gazebo" - we're looking into funding to fit a new covered seating area

"Better ventilation" We're looking to install a new ventilation system this year, to improve people's experiences during busy events.

"Art based workshops" We're looking at developing a summer arts workshop project for young people.

We value your suggestions and they do make a difference so please take the time to feed back to us.

Trinity Community Arts supports findings that when people leave prison, they are much less likely to re-offend if they have a home and a job.

We have a long-standing partnership with Leyhill HMP - a CAT D, open prison - and provide long-term work placements to individual life-prisoners for between 6-18 months, in order to help improve their chances of successful release.

Many prisoners come into prison unemployed and 73.5% return to unemployment on release*

If an ex-offender is able to come out and find work, somewhere to live and develop a support network, this greatly reduce the chances of them re-offending.

Many prisoners are released with nowhere to go and support from friends or family is not always available. Therefore, in our commitment to providing services for the whole community, it is vital that organisations such as Trinity provide support in the form of work experience placements for ex-offenders.

“I am currently serving a prison sentence at Leyhill prison. As part of my resettlement I go to Trinity Centre where I help out with all aspects of keeping this community centre up and running for all the people in the area. This has given me a lot of confidence to help me move forward in my rehabilitation, meeting new people and giving me a new view on how to be more open and to give me more options for when I do get released from prison.” Statement from an individual on placement from Leyhill HMP, who has been successfully released, 2013

The Trinity Centre is a large, converted, Georgian, grade II* listed former-church building, so ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds is a constant challenge.

Our Leyhill volunteers bring with them skills including plastering, painting, carpentry, brick-laying, gardening and cleaning, including COSHH. The placements allow individuals to gain practical work experience, whilst also helping us to carry out essential repairs and maintenance that we otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

Providing ex-offenders with the opportunity to apply their training within a real setting provides individuals with valuable experience to enable them to secure employment on their release.

“Thank you for making me feel part of the team and treating me like a human being again.” Statement from an individual on placement from Leyhill HMP, who has been successfully released, 2016

Want to read more? See: In memoriam: Phil, a story of change.

Our placements are provided on a case-by-case basis, where individuals are not shown to be on the Child Protection Register or Protection of Vulnerable Adults Register. A full disclosure is undertaken, where individuals are assessed to ensure that offering a placement will not pose a threat to either Centre users or other staff and volunteers. We also have an Ex-offenders Policy that we use to train staff and volunteers in working with ex-offenders. Lehyill HMP regularly monitor placements as part of their “Through The Gate” scheme.

___

*HoC Work and Pensions Committee, Support for ex-offenders Fifth Report of Session 2016–17, p5

200 friends of Trinity turned out for the official opening of our new upstairs hall - including Presenter Susan Osman and Lord Mayor Faruk Choudhury.

The event gave people in the community and users of the Centre the opportunity to see all the improvements made to the building, thanks to funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings and Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust.

'Bristol Reggae Orchestra' gave an outstanding performance - the first musicians to perform in the renovated upstairs hall. Other acts included a special performance from resident dance-troupe Hype. Bristol Samba closed the evening, with a drumming and dancing performance.

Thanks to all those who attended for the re-launch of this much-loved community arts venue.

Don't miss our public launch gig - Adrian Utley (Portishead) bringing together an orchestra of electric guitar players to interpret Terry Riley's 'In C', Saturday 8 March - performing in the intimate setting of our new upstairs hall. Also chance to catch an exhibition by the fabulous Alberto Seveso plus after-party downstairs with Smith & Mighty.

A new access ramp has been created for the new reception area with surface improvements to improve overall accessibility.

This former converted church - now a community arts centre and live music venue - has been a focal point for the cultural and community activities in Old Market Quarter for many years. The building renovation will help to provide a second large hall space in the upstairs of the Centre, suitable for a range of activities including dance, performance, meetings, conferences, weddings and more.

Trinity Community Arts, the charity running the Centre, are working to develop activities and youth training provision ready for the works completion, due February 2014. Once the works are completed, there will be a final celebration event, to showcase the potential uses of the newly improved space.

A new reception area is almost complete with a new heating system installed – a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes are due for installation in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as conferences, dance and fitness and performance. There will also be a second, smaller, hall space suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.

As you can see from the drawings from 1977 by architect George Ferguson show that the ambition to redevelop the Trinity Centre for decades. The 1993 annual report and 1994 annual report from TCA predecessors The New Trinity Community Association also outline plans for Trinity renovation works.

Thanks to support from funders including Big Lottery Fund and Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust, these past ambitions are now becoming a reality.

Watch this space for news about our official relaunch event in the new year.

To book the Centre for an event, meeting or function for 2014, get in touch with the Trinity Office on 0117 935 1200 / info@3ca.org.uk or visit the website www.3ca.org.uk

Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund we have started works on-site. Headed up by Bristol-based contractor CW Duke, we have now begun to realise the ambitions that many people have had over the years to make the Trinity Centre into a versatile and comfortable space for the people of Bristol.

Works have begin to create a new loading bay entrance and daytime reception area and works have also started on the upstairs hall space, with the steel framework installed to support a new partition wall. This will create two usable spaces in the upstairs of the venue - a large main hall space with sprung wooden floor and underfloor heating suitable for a range of large community meetings and private functions as well as music, dance and theatre performances, also a second 'community common room' space, with IT terminals and furnishings suitable for any community meeting or learning activity.

gcp Chartered Architects, the lead architect team, have created artist impressions of what the new space will look like, to give an idea of the range activities that could take place following the completion of works in January 2014.

If you are interested in the project and would like to find out more, why not join us for our free open day this Thursday, 17 October from 10am - click here to find out more.

click to view artist impression

The project is being led by Trinity Arts Ltd, designed and built by The Green Play Project, and is costing £24,000 in total. The play area will use high quality, sustainable materials and will include environmentally-conscious features which will inspire and challenge children and young people.

It is hoped that, in addition to being used by the many existing users of the centre, the play area will also attract more local families by creating a natural, fun, safe space within an inner-city urban environment, where currently there is nothing similar this side of the M32.

The Trinity Centre offers a range of much-needed services and facilities. The landmark building – a unique grade II* listed converted former-church now provides a space for the whole community, including those who may face barriers to participation such as young people who have been disengaged from mainstream services, refugee communities, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and long-term unemployed and financially disadvantaged people.

The play area project will form part of the wider Trinity Development Project funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund, designed to improve and increase the centre’s overall provision to the community.

Funding for the project has come from The Veolia Environmental Trust who awarded a grant of £23,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Centre Manager, Emma Harvey, says, “We are delighted that work is underway. The centre’s garden is a rare greenspace in an inner-city locality and the addition of a play area will encourage wider use by the community.”

The acting executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Maria Cade, adds, “We support community projects up and down the country and it is always great to hear about one starting. I hope that the play area is enjoyed by the community of Bristol for many years to come and I look forward to seeing the completed results.”

The project has also been supported by a £2,000 Community First grant awarded by the Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management Team.

---

Landfill Tax and the Landfill Communities Fund Any rubbish that is thrown away and cannot be reused ends up in a landfill site. Operators of landfill sites collect tax on each tonne of landfill for HM Treasury. The purpose of this tax is to make it more expensive to put waste into landfill, in turn encouraging us to reduce our waste and recycle more.

A small proportion of this tax, currently 6.8%, can be used to support a wide range of environmental projects near landfill sites, through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). Through the LCF over £1 billion has been invested in UK projects. The Veolia Environmental Trust is part of the LCF, which is regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST. For further information, please visit www.entrust.org.uk.

The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting community and environmental projects for over 15 years. Since we were established in 1997, Veolia Environmental Services (UK) plc has supported us by contributions of over £51 million to 1531 projects.

We have helped fund a diverse range of projects, including the repair of woodland footpaths, the renovation of community halls and the installation of playgrounds and play areas. For more information, or to find out how to apply for funding, visit our website www.veoliatrust.org.

Press information issued by Rebecca Jacob, tel: 01902 794978, email: rebecca.jacob@veoliatrust.org (project number: 4000)

Trinity Community Arts are currently part-way through a year-long scheme of works to carry out improvements to the Trinity Centre, Lawrence Hill in Old Market Quarter, Bristol.

We are half-way through a roof-repair works project, funded by English Heritage, Pilgrim Trust and Biffa Award. These essential repairs, due for completion at the end of June will help to protect the fabric of the building long-term.

Trinity has recently been awarded a £30,000 grant from the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust (ICET) to fund improvements to our heating system, including to run an underfloor-heating system in our large upstairs hall-space. Cory Environmental is one of the UK's leading recycling, waste management and energy recovery companies and its trust, which is also funded by Ibstock Brick Limited through the Landfill Communities Fund, supports community projects across the country. The ICET grant will help to improve the community building, where a wide range of community activities already take place, in order to allow for more activities to happen.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager for Trinity said; “Anyone who has used the Centre before will know how heating this old converted church is one massive challenge. The support from Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust will help to ensure that the community can make maximum use of the newly developed space in the coming year.”

Angela Haymonds, Secretary of ICET said: “ICET trustees were delighted to support this project. Trinity Community Arts hosts a broad range of arts-based and other community group activities and this project will serve to keep the building warm whilst keeping bills low.”

Angela continued: “This community project is just one of the many ICET has funded through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). The scheme offers funding to projects that benefit communities living within 10 miles of a landfill site. Groups interested in submitting projects should visit our website to find out more”.

The work funded by ICET forms part of a much larger scheme, due to start after the roof-repair works conclude, funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund. The wider scheme involves improvements to external grounds, the creation of a new daytime reception and installation of a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as dance, fitness and performance. The Big Lottery grant will also be used to install a full-height partition upstairs, so that a second smaller hall space will be created, suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.

Works are due for completion by the end of 2013 and will be delivered in phases in order to ensure the Centre remains open throughout. Details of the planned works can be downloaded by clicking here. For more information visit www.3ca.org.uk/projects/trinity-centre-development contact 0117 935 1200 or email info@3ca.org.uk.

This period of change and growth cannot happen without your support. We've set up a JustGiving page so that people in the community who care about Trinity can organise their own fundraising activities for the Centre. If you would just like to show your support, you can donate via the Trinity Text Appeal 2013 - text TRIN13 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity and make a difference with JustTextGiving by Vodafone.

The Veolia Environmental Trust have awarded Trinity Community Arts Ltd a grant of £23,000 towards the creation of a new, safe, play area within the centre’s garden. The play area will be used by the many existing users of the centre. It is hoped that it will also attract more local families by creating a natural, fun, safe play area within an inner-city urban environment, where currently there is nothing similar this side of the M32. The project has also been supported by a £2,000 Community First grant awarded by the Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management Team.

The Trinity Centre provides a range of much-needed services and facilities. It provides a space for the whole community, including those who may face barriers to participation such as young people who have been disengaged from mainstream services, refugee communities, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and long-term unemployed and financially disadvantaged people.

The play area will use high quality, sustainable materials and will include environmentally-conscious features which will inspire and challenge children and young people. The project will form part of the wider Trinity Development Project funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund, designed to improve and increase the centre’s overall provision to the community.

The Veolia Environmental Trust award grants to community and environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund. The grant was awarded by our Board at its recent quarterly meeting, where it awarded a total of £1.2m to 47 projects across the UK. Their projects team will now start the process of working with Trinity Community Arts to develop their final plans and get the project off the ground.

Centre Manager, Emma Harvey, said, “We are delighted that The Veolia Environmental Trust has awarded this grant and we are looking forward to the project getting underway. The centre’s garden is a rare green space in an inner-city locality and it is great that we can improve it to encourage wider use by the community.”

The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, McNabb Laurie, added, “Projects like this one make a real difference to our communities and our Board awarded this grant on its merits. We will now start working with Trinity Community Arts to develop a project that will really benefit the community of Bristol.”

Trinity Community Arts is a registered charity (no 1144770) if you would like to support us in our work, text TRIN13 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity and make a difference today.

The programme of works, which commenced in March 2013, is a scheme of roof repair and masonry works that will help to secure the future fabric of the building.

English Heritage funding was used in 2009 to carry out a conditions survey of the former Holy Trinity Church. The survey identified perforations to the south aisle lead roof – a sign of underside lead-corrosion caused by moisture getting trapped between the roof leadwork and underside insulation.

The roof repair works scheme, totalling over £140,000 will be followed by a programme of development works funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund. The scheme of development works include improvements to the external grounds, creation of a new daytime reception and installation of heating, a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as dance, fitness and performance, as well as weddings and parties. The work will help to create a second smaller hall space, suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.

This period of change cannot happen without support. If you would like to organise your own fundraising activities for the Centre, visit: JustGiving.com/TrinityCommunityArts. You can also make a small, one-off donation via JustGiving Trinity Text Appeal 2013 text TRIN13 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity and make a difference today.

Roof repair works 2013, by Rhiannon Jones

The exhibition has been created from the ideas of the communities and organisations involved and curated by Place Making Director, Leighton de Burca. Leighton is part of the Old Market Community Association, a group of residents and traders seeking to make Old Market a better place for all.

The exhibition features locally developed plans from areas including Bedminster, Old Market, Stokes Croft, Redcliffe and more. Speaking about the exhibition, Leighton said;

"The aim is simple - to enable people to get involved in the planning of their city. You do not need to be an architect or a town planner. Planning our communities, high streets and cities should be done by the people."

Venue: 1^st Floor Exhibition Hall, Trinity Centre, Bristol, BS2 0NW Cost: Free Entry

Date: 25^th March – 25^th May 2013 Opening Times: 9am–5pm Monday–Friday. Click here for event details.

Trinity Community Arts (TCA) is off to a great start for 2013. With a recently awarded a grant towards building works to improve access to the Trinity Centre from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund, the Centre has also been awarded funding from English Heritage, Biffa Award and The Pilgrim Trust to carry out a scheme of roof repair and masonry works that will help to secure the future fabric of the building.

English Heritage funding was used in 2009 to carry out a conditions survey of the former Holy Trinity Church. The survey identified perforations to the south aisle lead roof – a sign of underside lead-corrosion caused by moisture getting trapped between the roof lead work and underside insulation.

Following on from this, English Heritage supported the delivery of a feasibility study to look at options for development of the Centre to help increase usable space within the building. This led to further development works funded by Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund and, as a result, a scheme of works has been developed – the first phase of which will be carried out this year thanks to Lottery funding.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager said; “The building is 180 years old and is in seemingly good shape, however the failing leadworks is an issue that, if not addressed, could place the fabric of the building and its continued use in jeopardy. Lots of people care passionately about the Trinity Centre, and as a team we're working hard to make sure that past and present ambitions for the space are realised and she is here for another 180 years.”

Bristol City Council have recently granted TCA a 35-year lease through their Community Asset Transfer Policy, which has enable the charity to attract larger funding for capital works. A revenue grant of £15,000 Garfield Weston will help support the organisation this year as they deliver these challenging capital projects. TCA was also recently awarded the VISIBLE accreditation certificate by Community Matters in recognition of their service to the community.

Cath Hare, Programme Manager at Biffa Award, said: “Biffa Award is pleased to support this project to carry out essential repairs at the Trinity Centre. The work will allow more people to come together and use the building for a variety of activities, fulfilling its potential as a real community hub for future generations.”

The roof repair works scheme, totalling over £140,000 are scheduled to commence in March, while development works will begin in June and be phased in order to ensure that the Centre remains open throughout. The scheme of development works include improvements to the external grounds, creation of a new daytime reception and installation of heating, a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as dance, fitness and performance, as well as weddings and parties. The work will help to create a second smaller hall space, suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.

Speaking about the recently awarded Big Lottery grant, Councillor Simon Cook, Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport, said: "Trinity is a stunning local landmark, and a beautiful space, but with a legacy of high maintenance and difficult problems typical of very old and beautiful churches. Everyone involved has shown remarkable creativity in conceiving new uses and activities."

This period of change cannot happen without support. If you would like to organise your own fundraising activities for the Centre, visit: JustGiving.com/TrinityCommunityArts. You can also make a small, one-off donation via JustGiving Trinity Text Appeal 2013 text TRIN13 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity and make a difference today.

accompanying image by Said Toliss

17 October is a big day for Bristol’s much loved Trinity Centre. The Big Lottery-funded development work on the building has begun and Bristol West MP, Stephen Williams will open a new open-access children’s play area. The open day from 10am onwards will be a great chance for Bristol communities to come and see what's happening and what will be on offer in the newly developed Centre, as well as to try out the new play area (weather permitting!).

Funded by The Veolia Environmental Trust with a grant of £23k and a £2k Community First grant, the open-access play area designed and built by the Green Play Project has been created using high quality, sustainable materials and will include environmentally-conscious features - including a bamboo corner and tunnels which can be used to grow climbing flowers and vegetables - in order to inspire and challenge children and young people.

Bristol West MP, Stephen Williams said:

“The Trinity Development Project is an excellent candidate to receive this funding. The local people are working together to create valuable community green space and a safe children's play area and I would like to say a big thank you to The Veolia Environmental Trust for their help. Old Market is pulsating back into life.  A decade ago hardly anyone lived there but now in 2013 it is home to thousands. I am sure the play area will become a vital part of this new Old Market spirit!”

The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, said:

“We are pleased to support this project that has created a safe and exciting space for children and families to enjoy outdoor activities and connect with their environment. I hope that the opening event is a success and that the new play area is enjoyed by the community of Bristol for many years to come. Congratulations to all involved.”

The Trinity Centre is internationally renowned for its music events (famous bands like U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, the Clash, Roni Size and others have played there) and locally it provides a much loved centre and resource for community activities. Trinity Community Arts have been awarded a grant of £460,000 towards redeveloping the Centre, which will improve access and increase the space on offer for community activities. The grant is from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund - aiming to help people and communities most in need through giving funding to improve community buildings where a wide range of community activities take place. The work has also been supported by the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust who have provided matched funding for the Big Lottery grant to replace the boiler.

Centre Manager, Emma Harvey said:

“The Lottery grant will be used to create a new entrance and reception area and install heating, a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as conferences, dance and fitness and performance. There will also be a second, smaller, hall space suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.”

Click here for more information.

Press management on October 17^th, Nigel Locker, Bud Communications nigel@bud.uk.com

Trinity Community Arts are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant of £460,000 towards building works, to help improve access to the Centre and increase the space on offer for community activities.

The grant is from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund - aiming to help people and communities most in need, through giving funding to improve community buildings where a wide range of community activities take place.

The Trinity Centre is used for a wide variety of activities and events and many people within the City will have their own memories of the Centre. The grant will be used to help improve the external grounds, create a new daytime reception and install heating, a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as dance, fitness and performance. The grant will also be used to install a full-height partition upstairs, so that a second smaller hall space will be created, suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager for the Centre said; "Trinity is already well used and loved by the community and it has been frustrating that we have not been able to do more because of the current limitations of the space. The upstairs hall is beautiful with loads of potential and we hope that more people within the community will benefit from attending activities run from within the Centre once it has been redeveloped."

The Trinity Centre has been a community centre since 1976. The Council has recently granted a new lease of the Trinity Centre (formerly the Holy Trinity Church) to TCA for a period of 35 years on full repairing and insuring terms at a peppercorn rent, using the council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy. The Church was purchased by the Council back in the 1980s following its deconsecration and has been converted to a community facility.

Works are planned to take place from June 2013 and works will be phased across the year in order to ensure the Centre remains open. We plan to complete the works and celebrate with a launch event in January 2014. Details of the planned works can be downloaded from our website or for more information contact 0117 935 1200 or email info@3ca.org.uk.

About Trinity

Trinity Community Arts (TCA), a charity running the Trinity Centre – a unique grade II* listed converted church, community arts centre and independent live music venue based in Bristol. We help bring communities together and support regeneration within Easton, Ashley and Lawrence Hill and Old Market - rated as among the top 10% of most deprived wards, nationally. We deliver arts, education and heritage activities to encourage participation and promote cohesion within the area.

TCA has a tradition of making significant achievements in the community. With no reserves and little core funding, we generate revenue through a diverse range of income streams, including a programme of live music events - all of which we reinvest back into the Centre and community activities. We are now at a crucial stage in our development, and this year of improving the building will be a challenge for the organisation.

This period of change and growth cannot happen without your support. We've set up a JustGiving page so that people in the community who care about Trinity can organise their own fundraising activities for the Centre. If you would just like to show your support, you can donate via the Trinity Text Appeal 2013 - text TRIN13 £5 to 70070 to donate to Trinity and make a difference with JustTextGiving by Vodafone.

A building Conditions Survey undertaken in 2009 also identified serious deterioration in the lead roof of the south aisle of the Trinity Centre, which led to English Heritage placing the former church on its Buildings at Risk Register.

As a consequence Trinity Community Arts applied for and has been granted funding from English Heritage to carry out an Architectural Feasibility Study and undertake emergency roof repairs.

Trinity Community Arts has appointed Project Manager Mark Gundry from Bristol City Council to manage the delivery of the project, with lead architects gcp Chartered Architects and Simon Cartlidge a conservation accredited architect who previously worked with Trinity as part of the 2009 Conditions Survey.

The Trinity Centre is a community arts centre and independent music venue run by Trinity Community Arts - a not-for-profit charity group operating in the heart of three of the most ethnically diverse and economically deprived wards in the City of Bristol - Easton, Ashley and Lawrence Hill. The Trinity Centre is held by Trinity Community Arts on a lease from Bristol City Council and is protected by a covenant, placed on it by the Church, outlining it can only be used for Youth, Arts, Community and Education purposes.

Since the church was made redundant most of the internal fittings have been removed and a floor inserted near the top of the tall nave arcade. Consent was granted for the repair and conversion of the building in 1987, including the installation of the mezzanine floor by Bristol City Council.

The project forms part of a wider programme of renovation and development works which Trinity is currently seeking funding for, to help improve space for both existing and potential new users.

Support Trinity's Roof Repair Appeal.

Working alongside independent consultants 2Morrow 2Day and gcp Chartered Architects, TCA have engaged people through hosting focus groups, outreach work, a paper and online survey, events, road-shows, social media, website and blog so that everyone can have their say in how they would like to see the Trinity Centre developed.

So far over 500 individuals have completed an online or paper survey and over 100 regional and local voluntary organisations have also been engaged representing over 10,000 members in total.

Key groups engaged so far include Bristol City Council officers and councilors, community and voluntary sector organisations, arts and media groups and local residents.

Feedback so far includes that the Centre is "much loved" and "a gateway to the community", with one young person commenting "Trinity saved my life!"

Comments highlighting areas for improvement include "I used to go there but I don’t know what they do now", "The entrance is so confusing I nearly walked out" and "they need to smarten up that car-park".

Other general comments have included vital feedback about the services that are delivered currently including suggestions for future projects and improving the building. Case studies have been developed and will be used in final report.

Initial Findings

• 70% of survey respondents are regular users whilst 30% haven’t ever visited Trinity in the last year or at all.
• An early trend in the survey is the requested need for ‘Event space’ that enables performers, community meetings, theatre space, adult education/training and weddings reception.
• As regards the building strong requests are being made for a fully accessible, heated, building.There is a 13% BME representation (city average) in terms of completing survey.

This initial feedback has been used to create three design options for the Centre - these will be used for the upcoming Stage 2 Consultation, which will take place between 4pm-7pm on the following dates/venues:

The three initial design options (see links below) will be used to provoke discussion and develop a final design that will be used as part of future Centre developments as well as to embark on the first stage of Development works if TCA are successful in their application to Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund.

Trinity Community Arts has secured a £40,000 Development Grant from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities Buildings Programme to investigate options for developing and renovating the Trinity Centre, Lawrence Hill. This will involve consulting with a wide range of individuals and organisations within the Bristol community.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager for the Centre said, “Thanks to a Development Grant from the Big Lottery Fund we will, over the next six months, consult with as many people as possible from Easton, Ashley, Lawrence Hill and also the wider City, in order to canvas opinion about how people would like to see the Centre developed in order to better meet people's needs.”

Trinity has already secured a separate £80,000 grant from English Heritage to carry out a Roof Repair and Feasibility Study Project. The Big Lottery Fund Development Grant will compliment this and allow Trinity to carry out essential community consultation with a focus on the best way to develop the Centre to encourage a wider use.

The Centre, is already a highly used community centre and is famed as one of the few remaining independent live music venues in the country. Trinity was birthplace of 'The Bristol Sound' and has a strong cultural heritage. The Centre has seen performances from Massive Attack and The Prodigy and U2 and, more recently, The Gorillaz, Duran Duran and the Horrors, to name but a few.

The Centre also hosts several of Bristol's favourite groups and classes - Hype Urban Dance Troupe, Bristol Samba Band, Zumba, Awaz Utoah, the Misfits and Link Age. Trinity also runs a range of community activities, functions and projects, including a training programme for young people not in education or employment.

Originally a popular church, the building was converted into a community centre in 1987. The conversion has many shortcomings in the internal layout that need to be addressed to allow for greater usage. The building is set in generous grounds that need extensive work to improve access and visibility. The roof is in urgent need of repair and will be addressed with the upcoming works funded by English Heritage.

Emma said, “Despite the size of the building, the poor appearance mean people often don't even know we're here offering space for the community.”

Trinity will be working closely with Bristol City Council and the Ethical Property Foundation as part of the project, and Bristol based gcp Chartered Architects will lead on the project from design through to any capital work.

Emma said, “We want to hear from anyone with an opinion about Trinity - good, bad or indifferent - so that we can ensure any development of the building is in line with what people want.”

This is an amazing opportunity for the people of Bristol to get behind one of the City's most loved venues and create a real focal point for the locality.

Emma said, “We want the opportunity to provide better quality space to the people of Bristol – to do that we need people to get involved and tell us what they think. We will be able to invest in people's ideas for the Centre, through securing further funding, if this part of the project is successful.”

If you are interested in having your say about this project please contact info@3ca.org.uk.

About the Trinity Centre - Trinity Community Arts is a charity formed to manage the Trinity Centre in Lawrence Hill Bristol. Our mission is to engage the local community of all ages in imaginative and socially inclusive projects. The Trinity Centre was built between 1829-1832 by architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson and is a Grade II* Listed converted church, deconsecrated in 1976. The building has remained in community use till this day, and has a restrictive covenant placed on it by the Church ensuring it is only used for Youth, Arts, Community and Education purposes.

The Trinity Community Arts team have been working hard on plans to redevelop the Trinity Centre. However, it is not the first time that the building has undergone development works.

An undated letter has been found (circa 1899) from the Holy Trinity Vicarage requesting to build an extension on the North West corner of the building to create a vestry for the Church's choir. The extension is now used as the Trinity office.

We venture to appeal to you on behalf of a scheme for the improvement of our church. We are confronted with two real needs involving an expenditure of £500, which we feel must be met without delay.

For nine years we have had a large choir of men and boys (average 40) with no vestry accommodation provided for them. They have been using, with the clergy, the small vestry designed for the needs of two or three clergy only. The late vicar the Rev. G. E. Ford strongly felt the need of a choir vestry, and he left a sum of £27 towards this object. Having to live [sic] with the overcrowding, which is not conducive to order of reverence for nine years, the congregation have decided to make an effort to erect a choir vestry. Plans have been drawn by W Gough (a sketch of which is subjoined) to provide the necessary accommodation in the simplest and least expensive manner, at the approximate cost of £300 and without in any way altering the present fabric.

At the same time the congregation have to face the expense of cleaning and redecorating the interior of our large church, which is now in a very unsatisfactory state involving an extra burden of at least £200. Twenty-two years have elapsed since the chancel was decorated and nine years since anything was done to the nave.

Our parish is large, populous and poor, and special efforts have to be made each year to keep existing agencies in an effective condition. Our congregation are prepared to do their utmost for the above-mentioned scheme, but they are quite unable to raise so substantial a sum without appealing to the generosity of churchmen outside the parish.

We beg to remain

Faithfully

T. A. Chapman R. D. Vicar

JHPea [sic]

G. E Fussell Churchwardens

W Carter Hon Sec to the Church Council

History of developments

The development and improvement of the Trinity Centre to maximise community benefit and potential revenue to ensure sustainability for any group running the space, has been a vision for many since as early as 1976 when the former Holy Trinity Church was de-consecrated and a convenant placed on the building to ensure its future use as a community centre.

Ambitions for the building's development can be seen in Bristol City Council's business plan for the Centre from 1989, which related to the installation of the existing second floor and proposals to install a mezzanine to create additional training spaces.

TCA current board and management have worked in line with some of these past visions for the Centre and have also embarked on several consultation exercises to explore how Trinity could best meet local needs and desires. TCA are applying for funding to carry out development and improvement works that help to realise some of these past ambitions for the Centre within the current context of what local people want.

Visit the Renovation area of our website for more information about current plans.

William Venn Gough (1842-1918)

William Venn Gough was born in Frome in Somerset in 1841 or 1842 and was baptised on 26 September of the latter year. He practised as an architect in Bristol, generally working for the Catholic Church.

Rev G Estwick Ford

Rev GE Ford was the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church for 13 years (1886-1899) and was presented with an illuminated address and a cheque for £200 at the last tea meeting he attended on January 19th 1899. It was reported that A J Nott presided in the hall which was full to overflowing and the vicar was also given a framed photo of the choir, churchwardens and clergy.

Working with gcp Chartered Architects and 2Morrow 2Day we spoke to a range of people through focus groups, outreach an online survey and several road-shows to identify the best way to redevelop the Centre for future use.

Over 500 people completed our survey and 122 voluntary and community sector were also engaged as part of the process to share their views, representing over 14,000 service users and members.

Selection of responses from consultation May-August 2012

We were pleased to receive a lot of positive feedback from people who view Trinity as a place that brings communities from different backgrounds together.

Suggestions for improvement were directed toward the poor signage, building orientation, knowledge of Trinity’s events and services, coldness and acoustics of upstairs and the condition of the car-park.

What came through strongly from the feedback was that people are looking for a community space that is affordable, fully accessible, flexibly and adaptable for a variety of community activity, comfortable to use and easily identifiable as a community space.

The type of activities people were interested in seeing more of included extended youth provision, which is much needed with the locality, and feedback from young people also indicated that we need to focus more on reaching young people through our marketing and communication.

The feedback will provide a focus for the development of future projects and fund-raising.

The type of space people were most interested in was to have a large 'event space' suitable for large private functions, dance, theatre and rehearsals. People also felt that the garden was a particularly important space within the inner-city setting and there were several people who suggested developing a children’s play area within the space.

Several design options were presented to people as part of the consultation. We used this input and worked with English Heritage and Bristol City Council's Conservation Officer to develop a long-term redevelopment plan for the Centre. Click here to view the final plans proposed.

TCA have submitted an application to Big Lottery Fund to fund the first phase of works within this larger scheme and we hope to have a decision within the new year. To find out more about our plans for the future, you can attend one of our Consultation Feedback Events at the following venues (between 4pm-7pm):

Arts Westside Café - 17th September

Barton Hill Settlement - 18th September

Easton Community Centre - 19th September

The Trinity Centre - 20th September

This project has been supported by the Big Lottery Fund and English Heritage.

You can support the project directly here.

The grant from Communitybuilders Fund, administrated by Social Investment Business will cover the initial phases of the study, to conduct market research into the impact of Trinity and our services on the local area and exploring people's ideas for the development of our activities, organisation and the building.

This will be an opportunity to engage with service users, local residents, volunteers and other possible beneficiaries, in order to identify key activity areas that are a priority to development.

The study will form part of a wider feasibility study, that will look at what is architecturally and structurally possible. Ultimately, we want to develop the Trinity Centre in order to maximise its use, enable us to deliver more services to our target groups, increase our revenue streams and minimise any ongoing cost and environmental impact of our energy consumption. Information gathered will be used to establish the best way forward for optimally developing the Trinity Centre, both socially and architecturally, whilst fitting in with our vision as a charitable organisation.

We are looking for the study to help ensure we develop the building in a way that takes into account the different uses of the space and the various interests of our beneficiaries. We aim to bring together people's ideas and aspirations and help balance the range of uses for maximum benefit to our communities, whilst also helping us to improve on our financial sustainability and independence.

We will be posting information on the members area of our website of any upcoming ways to be involved in this process. If you would like any further information contact info@3ca.org.uk

Adrian Utley is best known for being one third of the 'Bristol Sound' founders Portishead.

A guitarist and producer, Utley has also recorded under various names and participated in several recorded and live collectives, such as the occasional This I Dig, Stonephace, Adrian Utley & Mount Vernon Arts Lab, and Adrian Utley's Guitar Orchestra, which performed for Trinity's relaunch in 2014.

John Parish is a world-renowned musician, songwriter, composer and record producer and long-term collaborator with PJ Harvey.

He has also worked with many other bands including Eels, Tracy Chapman, Giant Sand, and Sparklehorse.

The pair are collaborating to create the Trinity Anthem to support Trinity's Notes for Notes fundraising appeal, to raise vital funds towards the £500,000 cost of essential conservation repairs.

Trinity is a late Georgian building, so repairs to the north side roof, windows and stonework will help to ensure Trinity can remain 'a centre for the people' for future generations.

This is the first time that Utley and Parish will collaborate on a musical project of this nature and they are both looking forward to working together to support the Trinity Centre, which is in critical need of repair.

"The Trinity Centre has a fantastic history as a music venue, stretching back over forty years, with some great acts having played there, and we're supporting its future by creating the Trinity Anthem to encourage people to donate to the Appeal. The building is great, but its the work that goes on inside by the Trinity Community Arts charity that's important, so we want to keep a roof over their heads and see the charity doing what they do best for another forty years at least!" (John Parish)

Notes for Notes

The Notes for Notes appeal aims to raise £20,000 towards the £500,000 Conservation Project to carry out essential repairs to the much-loved Trinity Centre.

For every every £5 raised for the Notes for Notes campaign, Trinity will exchange one musical note.

When we reach 4,000 musical-notes we will launch 'the Trinity Anthem' - a unique piece of music, created by Adrian Utley & John Parish, to celebrate the diverse musical heritage of the centre and city of Bristol.

We hope that people who hold Trinity close to their hearts will support the Conservation Project and help us raise vital funds to help secure the centre's future.

Click here to pledge your support today and help make the Trinity Anthem happen.

Click here to read more about the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

Images credits

Adrian Utley (right) courtesy of Benoit Peverelli

John Parish (left) courtesy of Matias Corral

One of Trinity Community Arts' (TCA) charitable objects is, ‘to preserve, protect and improve for the public benefit the Trinity Centre, formerly the Holy Trinity Church, and promote the heritage of this building.’

The Trinity Centre is an important Grade II* listed building, which retains significant townscape value in the context of Old Market Conservation Area, defined as "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance."

Since forming in 2003, TCA have been carrying out a phased programme of capital repair and redevelopment works, in order to renovate the historic asset and conserve it for future generations. We are approximately 1/3 of the way through the capital works programme and have invested over £1m with support from public funding.

The development and improvement of the premises, to maximise community benefit and potential revenue to ensure sustainability for any group running the space, has been a vision for many since as early as 1976.

The space has had several periods of significant investment, including the construction of an intermediate concrete floor and replacement of several windows by Bristol City Council between 1987-1991.

Ambitions to conserve the building and develop the space as a hub for community, arts, youth and education activities can be seen in Bristol City Council's business plan for the Centre from 1989, which related to the installation of the existing second floor and proposals to install a mezzanine to create additional training spaces.

Due to the complicated nature of the 1987 church conversion, the severity of dereliction and subsequent degradation, the building still remained in need of renovation and development.

TCA's board and management have worked in line with some of these past visions for the Centre and have also embarked on several consultation exercises to explore how Trinity could best meet local needs and desires.

Previous works included introducing a lift, training rooms and accessible WCs to help improve access to community training resources on the first floor. Our facilities team have also worked to carry out maintenance and repair works supported by small grants funding from groups such as landfill trusts and our own income generation.

Recently completed phases, 2013-2014, include a repair works scheme to the South Aisle lead roof funded by Historic England (formerly English Heritage) and match funders and a development works programme to bring the upstairs hall space into use, funded by Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities Buildings and match funders.

With building of Trinity's size and importance, there is still much investment needed to realise the full extent of this facility.

In 2016 we commenced a year-long development phase funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, to carry out a scheme of repair and conservation works at the Trinity Centre in 2017.

Click here to read more information about the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

More about the Trinity Centre

The Trinity Centre is a deconsecrated Georgian church, now a community centre, brought back into to use by the current management Trinity Community Arts (TCA) in 2004.

The space was deconsecrated in 1976 and has been run by community groups for the past four decades. Protected by a covenant that says it is only to be used for community purposes, it was a base for the African-Caribbean Community and is still strongly connected with the constantly evolving ethnic landscape of the local area.

Since 1992, the building has been a prominent music venue. It has played host to a spectacular role-call of acts, becoming an important landmark in the globally exported 'Bristol Sound'.

The Trinity Centre is a significant iconic space. Built in the Gothic-revival between 1829-1832 it is a Waterloo Church and considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson.

The building is situated within one of the most culturally diverse, economically deprived areas of the South West. Race, migration and the changing ethnic landscape have played an important role in the history of Trinity and the surrounding area. East Bristol remains a focal point for migration to the city both domestically and internationally.

Cultural diversity has shaped our community and made it the vibrant and exciting area that it is today. Central and East Bristol is at the heart of the city’s diversity, helping to create a unique cultural and creative environment for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. By renovating and conserving the Trinity Centre, we want to provide an affordable community arts hub for inner-city Bristol in order to make sure everyone has the opportunity to shape arts and culture in Bristol.

Text ROOF31 £5

to 70070 to   donate to the

Trinity Centre Conservation Project

Our thanks to the staff at The Regency Group for supporting Trinity's Notes for Notes Appeal with a generous donation of £500

The Regency Group are based in Weston-Super-Mare and support and promote many local charities

The Notes for Notes Appeal aims to raise £20,000 towards the £1/2 million cost of essential conservation repairs to the 187 year old Grade II* listed Trinity Centre

The donation will help secure the Centre for the future of Trinity Community Arts and help conserve the heritage of the building

One of Bristol's oldest Freemasonry Lodges has supported Trinity's Notes for Notes Appeal with a donation of £908.

The Royal Sussex Lodge of Hospitality said they wanted to support a local charity that works closely within the local community. They chose Trinity as they know how vital the Centre is in providing space for community groups, also the benefit the space has been for the local community for over forty years.

The group were also aware of the impact that Trinity's Youth Music Programme has, helping vulnerable young people to access music, often at very challenging times in their lives.

The Lodge wanted to support Notes for Notes and the forthcoming Conservation Project, which will provide essential repairs to the iconic Trinity towers and the building.

Keep an eye on our growing fundraising appeal and pledge your support via our Just Giving page.

You can support Trinity's Notes for Notes Appeal, text ROOF 31 £5 to 70070 or donate at www.3ca.org.uk/donate

Portishead legend and Bristol-Sound pioneer Adrian Utley, together with world-renowned musician and guitarist John Parish, describe why they support Trinity's Notes for Notes Appeal in an interview, now available on You Tube

During the interview, John and Adrian explained why they are supporting the Trinity Centre by creating the "Trinity Anthem" for the Appeal, and Adrian goes on to remember his time performing with Portishead at Trinity back in the '90s.

For every £5 received in donation to the Appeal, Trinity will exchange a virtual musical note, and once 4,000 notes have been exchanged (£20,000), Adrian and John will release the Trinity Anthem - a unique piece of music that reflects and celebrates Trinity's rich 40 year musical heritage.

To support the Appeal, donate on our Just Giving page or by text to ROOF31 £5 to 70070

With thanks to Charlie Tothill, Chris Price (film & edition), Memotone (music).

God Save The Trinity Centre

Click here to get to our Crowdfunder & support Trinity Community Arts

Artists Jimmy Cauty and Andy Council have created original and exclusive pieces of artwork to support The Trinity’s Crowdfunder Campaign, to launch on Wednesday 1^st February. Funds raised will support our Conservation Project to carry out urgent repair works to the Trinity Centre roof, towers and stained glass windows.

Elecro-pioneer and founding member of The KLF, Jimmy Cauty has produced an original poster, God Save The Trinity Centre (pictured, left). Following their visit to Trinity last year as one of the first stops on the ADP Riot Tour, artists from Jimmy's L-13 Light Industrial art collective - Billy Childish, Harry Adams and Jamie Reed - have all collaborated to produce the punk-inspired artwork.

Cauty said God Save the Trinity Centre was, “inspired by the rich musical heritage of the Trinity Centre, particularity the punk bands who played there in the late 70s, and it reminds us of posters we used to make in those days.”

Jimmy's support comes at a time when it has been rumoured that KLF are set to  reunite in 2017 – Sorry to disappoint! But a full denial has been reported in the NME and The Guardian.  However, it is also reported that 'something is coming' in August to mark the end of a self imposed moratorium that silenced them for 23 years.

The Trinity Fox

Local urban artist and illustrator Andy Council, best known for his Bristol Dinosaur and Creature-Creations featuring Bristol’s historic buildings, has also produced an original piece in support of Trinity's emergency repairs appeal.

Titled Trinity Fox the illustration features some of the historical buildings in Old Market. Speaking about the work, Andy said; “The Trinity itself is an iconic building in the city and it's been a while since I've included it in any of my Bristol ‘creature-creation’ pieces. Also included in the ‘urban beast’ are buildings from the nearby Old Market area. I've been wanting to focus on Old Market for some time now, the buildings there are really interesting and have so much history.”

As one of Bristol's leading community arts spaces, Trinity is proud to have the support of the city's arts community. In 2016, graffiti artist Stewy also provided his support, producing a series of limited edition prints and mural in memory of DJ Derek and in support of our youth music programme.

These latest original artworks will be auctioned online to raise vital funds to save the Trinity Centre - so watch this space for further announcements!

Donations to our Conservation Project can be made through Just Giving at or by Text Giving ROOF31 £5 to 70070. Click here to read more about The Trinity Conservation Project and the work Andy and Jimmy are supporting.

Get your hands on a limited edition artwork!

If you want to get your hands on an original artwork by some great artists whilst supporting a good cause, then look no further.

From 6pm on Tuesday 14 March you can visit our Ebay page and bid for one of the following works to help us fund essential repair works to the Trinity Centre:

Andy Council

Andy is a renowned Bristol urban artist and illustrator, best known for his ‘creature-creations’ that incorporate the built heritage of Bristol’s cityscape.

The Trinity Fox features prominent historical buildings in Bristol’s Old Market Quarter.

You can get your hands on a limited edition hand-finished digital print, by supporting Trinity’s Crowdfunder, to raise funds for the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

This original pen drawing (pictured) will be available to bid for via our online auction in March this year to raise funds for Trinity’s Conservation Project.

Jimmy Cauty & L-13 Light Industrial Workshop

Internationally renowned artist and musician, of KLF, The Orb, and Justified Ancients of Mu Mu has been supporting Trinity’s work since a visit to the centre as one of the first stops on the 2016 ADP Riot Tour. The work featured ‘a vast post-apocalyptic landscape populated only by the police and media crews’ housed inside a 40ft shipping container.

Jimmy’s politically insightful artwork has been exhibited around the world and in collaboration with Banksy at the 2015 Dismaland exhibition.

God Save the Trinity Centre is a punk-inspired poster that celebrates Trinity’s rich 40 year musical heritage, produced in collaboration with L-13 artists Billy Childish, Harry Adams and Jamie Reed.

Limited edition digital-print and screen-print versions of the artwork are available via the Trinity Crowdfunder to raise funds for The Trinity Centre Conservation Project. The original collage (pictured) will be auctioned in March...

Stewy

Street-artist Stewy’s work includes stencils of iconic figures, including Bristol legends Tricky and DJ Derek.

DJ Derek was a much loved Reggae DJ, who played his sets in pubs and clubs in the Bristol area, as well as at Glastonbury Festival and across the country.

Stewy’s stencil of Derek became synonymous with the DJ’s disappearance in 2015. A full size version of the stencil can be found in our Main Hall, to provide a lasting legacy of Derek for his family, friends and those who loved his music. A limited edition version of this print help to raised over £1,000 for Trinity’s Youth Music Training Programme in 2016.

Knowle boy Tricky is a music producer and influential artist in the ‘Bristol Sound’ movement. He pioneered the 'trip-hop’ style of music that rose to prominence in the UK during the 1990s. Stewy’s original stencil of Tricky was made on a screen print plate and is signed by Tricky and the artist. The limited print, number 20/20 (pictured), will be available to bid for via Trinity’s online auction in March this year, to raise funds for the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

Second versions of these prints are planned for September 2017, to help raise funds for Trinity’s Youth Music Programme.

Visit the Renovation area of our website for more info about our repairs project.

Auction will close at 6pm on 23 March.

Adesola Akinleye & the Ila Dance project, Trinity's Garden Party 2017, image by Jessica Bartolini

“We are delighted to support the proposed improvements to Trinity – a very significant and important Grade II* listed Georgian building. For many years, Trinity Centre has been an excellent example of a building where the local community has been involved in its ongoing improvement and in the provision of an ever increasing range of activities and initiatives. This work continues to the present day and into the future. We wish Trinity Centre our ongoing support in securing the funds necessary to secure the future of both the building and of the important activities which it accommodates.” Bristol Civic Society

We are excited to announce Trinity Centre has been granted National Lottery funding to carry out essential repairs to the building. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have pledged £362,800 towards our Capital Repairs project that will include fixing the iconic towers, North aisle roof, stained glass windows and Bath stonework.  Historic England have also shown their support for the capital works, with a grant of £106,099.

A further £97k has also been raised from other supporters including Bristol City Council, Cory Environmental Trust Britain, the Pilgrim Trust, and ​Nisbets Trust​ as well as support through individual donations and a Crowdfunder appeal.  Other trusts who have supported the capital works to take place include The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation, The Bramble Trust and local heritage foundation The Gibbs Trust.  

Bristol Ageing Better and The Swire Charitable Trust are also supporting towards costs of activities, to include workshops in traditional heritage trades, a series of talks and a range of activities for children and families including heritage trails and quests to find out more about local history.

We are now looking to raise the remaining raise remaining £140k match-funding needed to cover the total costs of the project.

We still need help in raising the remaining 20% needed to complete the repairs. You can pledge your support via Trinity’s Just Giving page: visit ​www.3ca.org.uk/donate for more info, donate by Text Giving with ROOF 31 and your donation amount to 70070,  download the Trinity Anthem or buy some of our merch from our marketplace.

Bristol Musicians Create Anthem to Support Trinity

Twelve of Bristol’s most talented guitarists and musicians came together to perform and record the Trinity Anthem to raise funds for essential repairs to the iconic Trinity towers, windows, roof and stonework.

The performance and recording of the Anthem took place on Tuesday 4^th April in the Main Hall at Trinity, and took a day to produce. The Anthem was the culmination of dedicated support by Adrian Utley and John Parish, who created the piece of music to support Trinity’s Notes for Notes Appeal.

This was the first time Adrian and John collaborated on a musical project, although they performed together at Trinity in 2014 as part of Adrian Utley’s Guitar Orchestra.

Portishead member and Bristol-Sound pioneer Adrian Utley was joined by world-class composer, musician and producer John Parish, who wrote and produced the Anthem. They were also joined by Stig Manley, Hazel Winter, Alex Vann, Alex Lee, Alex Hogg, Ben Shillabeer, Deej Dhariwal, Charlie Romijn, Jim Barr and Tim Allen.

The track is available to download for donation through the Bristol-based music-share website I Give You Give to support the repairs to the Trinity Centre. The Anthem can be downloaded for a donation of £1, but every penny raised will fund the essential repairs to the Trinity Centre. The Trinity Centre hopes that people who hold the venue close to their hearts will support the charity by downloading the Anthem and spreading the word.

Trinity are also releasing a limited edition 12” vinyl dub plate, which will go on sale in early May, and will be available to purchase at the Trinity Garden Party (Sunday 14^th May)

Click here To download a digital copy of the Trinity Anthem

Car park closures, better building and a secured future

Thanks to help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and match funders, alongside donations gifted from the public we are finally at a point where we can put scaffolding around the building and begin to embark on major and much needed repairs to the stonework. Alongside the most damaged masonry we will be fixing the windows so the building will be cleaner and lighter.

Access to The Trinity Centre will stay the same but during the 45 weeks the scaffolding is up our car park capacity will be severely reduced so anyone visiting us should think about alternative parking or modes of transport.

Now we have got this far we are going to be raising the funds to complete works on all the masonry (not just the most severely damaged as we had planned). Fund-raising for this now will mean we ensure that Trinity stays open for future generations and by doing the extra work now means we can limit the impact both on the public and financially.

To celebrate Trinity's history we will be launching a series of events, talks, and courses in artisan crafts to compliment the works. You can  find out more about the project here. To keep up-to-date and informed about the project sign up to our mailing list at 3ca.org.uk/mail or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Works due to start 2 Oct for 45 weeks.